National Tourism Week Kicks Off In Halifax

Monday, May 30, 2016 – 11:45 – Jeff Ransome, Chairman of Destination Halifax, kicks off National Tourism Week with a welcome to the world and compliments to the tourism operators and businesses in the Halifax region. Tourism Week in Canada is a grassroots initiative that brings attention to the economic opportunity available to Canada through travel and tourism and the public policy challenges preventing the sector from capitalizing on those opportunities.The tourism industry is a vitally important economic generator for Halifax. With direct spending reaching $1B per year, the industry generates $120M annually in provincial sales tax revenue and $14.5M annually in municipal tax revenue from hotel and tourism properties. There are more than 1,600 businesses operating in the tourism sector with employment reaching 23,290 according to the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. The combined business and leisure travel markets account for 5.5M overnight stays in the city of Halifax. “I wish to express my appreciation to the tourism businesses in the Halifax region. This is an exciting time to be involved in the tourism industry as evidenced by the number of cranes in the air, with new business opportunities and the true sense of opportunity for growth and prosperity,” says Ransome. Ransome also acknowledges partners working to improve tourism for the region including Halifax Partnership, Trade Centre Limited, NSBI, Halifax Waterfront Development Corporation, Tourism Nova Scotia, TIANS, Halifax Port Authority and a number of other community organizations working to help increase tourism.Ross Jefferson, President & CEO of Destination Halifax adds “There is so much to offer in Halifax. The Halifax region as a whole spans 201-communties, within that you have a fantastic mix of rural and urban, waterfront and nature, and the excitement of hundreds of festivals and events.”Ransome also extends warm greetings to all conference delegates to Halifax saying “our industry works on a united sell approach to attract the meetings and conventions sector, and ensures meeting planners and their delegates are given the highest quality service.”Tourism Week is happening from May 29 to June 4, 2016. Destination Halifax encourages everyone to use hashtag #TourismWeek and #TourismMatters to support and show that tourism is an integral part of our economy.“To our dedicated tourism industry providers, your commitment to excellence in servicing our guests does not go unnoticed! Keep up the great work HALIFAX,” exclaims Ransome.About Destination HalifaxDestination Halifax is a partnership of the Halifax’s regional government, the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia, and participating industry members. Since its inception in 2002, Destination Halifax has operated with a goal of promoting the Halifax region as a year-round destination of choice for business and leisure travellers.Media ContactKatie ConklinOnline Communications CoordinatorPhone: 902-442-9344Email: kconklin@destinationhalifax.com